Just think, once you finally decide on a rifle. You'll get to start searching for a quality optic. If $1000 is your limit then I'd suggest that savage 111 for $400 and spend the rest on quality glass. IMHO the optic is the most important piece of the puzzle for effective LRH/shooting.

Is 30-06 a caliber I could stick with or would that be something to change?

If I should change I am assuming I would have to stick with long action. What long action calibers would be good? (I would have to change barrel and bolt face, anything else?)

Your choice on cartridge selection. Your action length and bolt face will only support a list of options without additional work. Here is a partial list of options for action length and bolt face diameter. Changes outside each category are not possible or usually cost many more $s than necessary to convert. Pick an action and bolt and stick with it.

Is 30-06 a caliber I could stick with or would that be something to change?

If I should change I am assuming I would have to stick with long action. What long action calibers would be good? (I would have to change barrel and bolt face, anything else?)

30-06 is a good choice. There is lots of factory ammo available and if you reload lots of bullet and brass choices.

Having a long-action would be most versatile. If you were to change barrels to a short-action cartridge, you can still shoot the cartridge in a long-action whereas you would have a very hard time shooting a long-action cartridge in a short-action rifle.

A previous post on getting good optics is also great advice. The old adage of buy-once, cry-once applies here.